Current News

Vermont Business Magazine At the Vermont State House in Montpelier, UVM Cancer Center (UVMCC) launched its new Outreach and Education Van, which will bring cancer initiatives—including screening, prevention, and education—to rural communities in Vermont and northern New York. Fueled by philanthropy, the program addresses a national issue of particular concern to the Cancer Center. Starting this spring, the van will show up at local sporting events, county fairs, and other community events in Vermont and northern New York to raise awareness about cancer risk, screening and prevention methods, and research. High on its summer agenda is skin cancer prevention in Vermont, which has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the U.S. To meet this need, the Van will educate communities about skin cancer prevention; distribute sunscreen and SPF ChapStick; and offer on-site skin cancer screening.

Vermont Business Magazine Lund is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the sold-out ‘Lund by the Lake’ fundraising celebration, which took place last evening at Hula in Burlington. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Champlain, the event brought together over 240 supporters, donors, staff, and client families, all united in their commitment to creating a better future for Vermont families. During the event, attendees witnessed the transition of leadership from Ken Schatz, Interim CEO, to Liz Gamache, Lund’s new President & CEO. The Board of Trustees and staff expressed their gratitude to Ken for his outstanding leadership during this interim period and shared their enthusiasm for the next chapter under Liz’s guidance.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, released the following statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated annually on May 3: “A free press is essential, both here in America and internationally. It is vital that journalists are protected—not impeded, silenced, or threatened. The Trump White House has shown nothing but distain for the constitutionally protected press, abusing the immense powers of the Executive by obstructing the media at all costs. President Trump has entered frivolous legal battles with press outlets he disagrees with. His administration has threatened and sought to block federal funding, including for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the Voice of America, among others."

Vermont Business Magazine Big Change Roundup for Kids (BCRU), radio station 98.9 WOKO’s annual campaign supporting the life-changing care delivered every day at University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, set an all-time record on Friday, bringing together volunteers, businesses and individual donors to raise $356,387.88 that will directly support pediatric patients and families. With 98.9 WOKO broadcasting live from the main lobby donors and special guests joined radio personalities “Wild Bill” Sargent and Sarah Spencer on-air, to speak about the hospital’s impact on patients and families and the importance of family-centered care that forms the foundation of the annual campaign.

Vermont Business Magazine The Trump administration filed lawsuits against Vermont and three other states this week to try to stop them from holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in damaging the climate and polluting communities. Trump's Department of Justice announced it's suing Vermont and New York, challenging their climate superfund laws that would force fossil fuel companies to pay into state-based funds based on previous greenhouse gas emissions. The DOJ is also suing Hawaii and Michigan over their plans for legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending April 26, 2025, spiked and are at their highest level since just after Christmas. A spike at the beginning of March carried them over 600. New claims this week were 778, up 282 claims from the week before and are 290 more from last year. The end of the winter tourism season tends to increase claims, as they do after holidays. Claims, which are lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. In Vermont for the weekly report, the Service industry accounted for the most claims last week with 53%, down 15 points. Construction was at 2%, down 3 points, as that industry ramps up. Manufacturing accounted for 12% of claims, up 5 points. 

Vermont Business Magazine Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) and Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) have partnered to provide free community solar memberships in Orleans County, thanks to NVDA securing a grant from the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. The grant will cover the cost-in-full for 20 income-qualified households in Orleans County to sponsor panels in VEC's Community Solar Program, leading to nearly $45 in monthly savings on their electricity bills. Over the 10-year program term, each household will save over $5,200. All program slots have been filled. 

Don George, CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont In January, I shared the significant financial challenges facing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and the related, larger issues undermining the sustainability of Vermont’s healthcare system. I outlined how the ongoing and unrelenting, multi-year cost surge – driven by escalating prices for hospital services and extraordinary markups in prescription medications – depletes our member reserves, driving up premiums for our members, and impeding affordability. I also asked you to join us in advocating for cost constraints and system-wide reform that’s long overdue. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark released Vermont’s revenue results for March 2025. Only the General Fund exceeded its monthly consensus cash flow target, corresponding to the annual consensus forecast update as adopted by the Emergency Board at its January 2025 meeting. The Transportation Fund and Education Fund both failed to achieve their respective targets. The consumer- and tourism-related taxes all missed their targets (Meals & Rooms (-1.3%), Sales (-0.4%), Gasoline (-7.1%)), which could be a variance in timing for the winter tourism season winding down, as their year-to-date numbers are all ahead of targets. Meanwhile, the Personal (+1.7%) and Corporate Income (+6.9%) taxes had positive results in support of the General Fund.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has announced it has exceeded $1 billion in assets, a landmark achievement that highlights the organization’s sustained growth, financial strength, and ongoing commitment to serving Vermonters. Founded in 1953 to serve federal postal employees, Vermont Federal Credit Union has grown into a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution. Today, it proudly serves a diverse membership of over 55,000 individuals throughout the state of Vermont. Reaching the $1 billion milestone places Vermont Federal among an exclusive group of credit unions in the region that have attained such financial success. 

Vermont Business Magazine Casella Waste Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: CWST), a regional solid waste, recycling and resource management services company, today reported its financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025. Revenues were $417.1 million for the quarter, up $76.1 million, or up 22.3%, from the same period in 2024. Net loss was $(4.8) million for the quarter, down $(0.7) million, as compared to $(4.1) million for the same period in 2024.

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The Woodstock Foundation Board of Directors have agreed to a proposed out-of-court settlement with the former longtime chair and vice chair of the board in their lawsuit over claims they were improperly removed and that the Woodstock Inn & Resort and the Billings Farm & Museum had been mismanaged. The Foundation Board had secretly began to oust both Chair Ellen R.C. Pomeroy and Vice Chair Salvatore Iannuzzi in November 2022 after the two leaders attempted to investigate and address multiple credible complaints by employees about mismanagement and malfeasance, records show.